Over the past couple of weeks, we have been thinking about the Gospel. What are the words we need to share with individuals who do not know Jesus Christ as Savior? We have defined the gospel as a matter of bad news and good news. The bad news is that on our own, we are dead. The good news is that Jesus is the bridge that leads to eternal life.
We have also considered the benefits of a grace touch as we seek to share the Gospel, a message of grace. It is important to develop a lifestyle that makes possible relationships that are truly safe places for conversations that might lead to witnessing.
We must read and study the Bible, that we might know the words that lead unto eternal life. We must KNOW, and live, life-giving truth. We must seek to live according to the grace we claim to be God's free gift. And we must strive to listen, to listen, to listen, that we might know when to speak into another life.
Today, I want to talk about the fine art of speaking truth into another's life. A few of us might be masters at witnessing. That would be a good thing! But more likely, most of us are masters at talking at people. We don't really talk with people. We talk at them.
Jesus, in the gospel accounts, models for us how to speak into the lives of people who need to hear the truth. The problem with talking at people is that hearing is minimal. Jesus shows us how to connect in such a way that we can truly know the other person understands.
Let's eavesdrop on the conversation that took place beside a well in Samaria. We will observe witnessing made simple. There is no sermon. There is no gospel tract. There's just truth spoken into a life.
It appears that you and I need to begin by earning permission to speak into the lives of the people we know. Remember: the truth sets us free! Let's learn how to help set people free! I would like to highlight four keys for successful witnessing that Jesus models in John 4:1-42. The keys include: Talk with pre-Christians; Talk about Your Story; Talk over Natural Bridges; and Talk in the Direction of Truth. And don't be afraid to use a tool.
Talk with pre-Christians:
John 4:4 . . . Now he had to go through Samaria. {5} So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. {6} Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. {7} When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?"
The most basic element of witnessing is someone to listen. Otherwise, you're just talking to yourself. Effective witness begins with a conversation with another person. This will never happen unless you speak up when the opportunities arise. Jesus sat at the well and spoke to the first person He saw. He didn't wait for a likely candidate. He merely spoke to the first person who came along. For you and me, let's start by talking with the people we already know.
Effective witness will not happen unless we take advantage of opportunities that come our way. There were many reasons why Jesus should have remained silent: she was a woman; she was a Samaritan woman; they were alone. It just wasn't done! Jesus chose to speak. And you and I need to do the same thing when the opportunity arises. Effective witness will not happen unless we open our mouths and speak. Looking for and seeing the opportunities is not enough. We must also speak up for Jesus. All of the good intentions in the world will not help anyone.
I would like to suggest a couple of pre-witnessing warm-up exercises: (1) You might try praying . . . "Lord, give to me an appointment today." If you pray this, God will answer. God loves this request! (2) You might try to be around people who are not Christians. Build sincere relationships and trust God to show you when to speak for Jesus Christ. (3) You might prepare yourself to want to hear, "Please tell me about Jesus." More people than you think want to know.
Talk about Your Story:
John 4:10 . . . Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
One undeniable truth is that we all like to talk about ourselves. You know this! Now, we just need to learn to talk about our relationship with Jesus. Explain who you were and who you are. Tell how you got where you are from where you were. No one can deny your life story. It's your truth. They may challenge your belief system or theology. But in the safety of telling your life story, very few will not listen. Successful witnessing can take place through self-disclosure. This is not setting the other person up for verbal voyeurism. They don't need to know everything. This is using biography as a bridge to sharing Jesus' story.
Talk over Natural Bridges:
John 4:13 . . . Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, {14} but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." {15} The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water."
What do you talk about at a well? Water! Don't make witnessing any harder than it is. We need to develop an eye to look for natural bridges in our conversations. We don't need to force Jesus into any conversation to be effective. As a matter of fact, it's the forcing that is the problem. Bringing up Jesus in the flow of an existing conversation is so much more effective.
This will mean that you and I need to be observant, watching what is happening; listening to what is being said. Jesus, by a well, began a conversation about water. That might work at the water cooler. But you might find "no water" where you are standing. Use what you have. I once used pickles, crackers and peanut butter as a bridge to the gospel. And my old neighbor, Scott, heard many sermons (and gospel tidbits) because he made the mistake of asking what I did at church or took the bait when I said that I had used him in my sermon.
One key element of this task is being intentional to want to find opportunities to witness for Jesus. A predisposition to not wanting to share is a sure way to not witness.
You don't need to make up a new story each time. JUST tell people what happened to you. And if you think about it, making up a new story wouldn't be the truth. But you may tweak how you share, what you share.
My testimony includes snippets from my life: teenage drinking, college life, cooking and eating, hobbies and interests, married life, etc. I also refuse to be embarrassed about the fact that I'm a Christian. You might help yourself by thinking about your life and what you can talk about with comfort. Try these pieces of your life as possible bridges to witnessing.
Talk in the Direction of Truth:
John 4:24 . . . "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." {25} The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us." {26} Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."
Jesus didn't immediately jump at the woman with His message. He engaged her in conversation. He nudged her along until He found the right time to make His move.
Once under the spotlight, many people will attempt to hide. They will try to change the subject. They will bring up challenges to your statements. They will try to impress you with what they know about God or Jesus. GENTLY stick to your subject, Jesus and salvation. Don't let them control the conversation. But also, don't bulldoze over any of their real concerns.
You may need to wait until a later talk. Not everyone is ready to listen and to hear. You may need to dismiss the challenge. Some challenges are legitimate hurdles that must be crossed. Deal with them as best you can or say, "I'll have to think about that one!" You may need to look for another bridge to cross . . . dead ends can be dead ends.
Learn a few word bridges from your story to Jesus' story: "Can I share with you what the Bible says about....?" (eternal life, a better life, Jesus Christ) "Would you like to hear more about being born again?" "May I explain this good news to you?" "May I show you what many have found to be good news?"
Don't Be Afraid to Use a Tool.
If you are totally unnerved by the thought of witnessing, don't panic. And don't give up. Learn to use a tool: Carry a tract, a gospel presentation that you are familiar with and enjoy using. There are many that you can pick up at the bookstore. Develop a personal presentation that you feel comfortable with that helps you talk about Jesus. Memorize a series of verses that clearly explain the gospel message. Let God speak for you as you quote His Scriptures.
Please hear me: You are not a lesser witness just because you use a gospel tool. But you might become a better witness if you actually do witness.
The bottom line: We have been commanded to witness. And our love for God is made visible through obedience. Each time we witness, we prove our love for God. And that is true whether or not we use a tool. Just do it! Go and tell someone about Jesus!
